Repairing Guides

how to repair garage doors

by Janiya Bednar MD Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Step-By-Step Garage Door Repair

  1. Loose Screws Are any of the bolts and screws for each mounting bracket, located along the sides of the tracks, loose? Tighten them. ...
  2. Misaligned Tracks Vertical tracks should be perfectly straight and the same height as one another. Horizontal ones should slant down slightly toward the back of the garage. ...
  3. Springs There will be just one on a single-car garage, two on a two-car garage. Roll-up doors are operated by torsion springs, controlled by cables on pulleys. ...
  4. Door Won’t Open If you're not able to open your garage door at all, or the mechanism is moving slower than it used to do, and you've made all ...
  5. Remote Not Opening the Door Are you stuck outside with the door not opening? Check the battery inside your remote control door opener first. ...
  6. No Other Solution

Part of a video titled How to Diagnose and Fix Your Garage Door - YouTube
1:21
2:16
If one of the springs is loose or cracked. Then you'll need to call it professional to replace itMoreIf one of the springs is loose or cracked. Then you'll need to call it professional to replace it the last step is only for those who are experienced with mechanical devices.

Full Answer

How to properly maintain a garage door?

  • Tighten bolts and screws as needed. ...
  • Check that all rollers are working properly and not bent. ...
  • Check all hinges for any deformity or cracks.
  • Check that the tracks are in alignment with the proper spacing and not bent.
  • Check that cables are not frayed or worn.
  • Check that the ceiling mounts for the track and opener are tight and solid.

More items...

How do I get my garage door repaired?

  • As with many such problems, the most common problem is the simplest one—the motor unit has been unplugged. ...
  • It's also possible that the circuit breaker, fuse, or GFCI outlet powering the door opener circuit has tripped or burned out. ...
  • Finally, it's possible the garage door opener's motor has burned out and isn't operating at all. ...

How to fix your noisy garage door?

How to Fix a Squeaky Garage Door

  1. Gather Supplies. If the can has a nozzle, it will be easiest for application. ...
  2. Safety!
  3. Locate Rollers. Standing inside the garage, locate each roller around the perimeter of the garage. ...
  4. Spray or Apply Lubricant to the Rollers
  5. Test Garage. Reconnect the opener and open the garage to test the effectiveness of lubricating the rollers. ...

How to adjust a garage door by yourself?

How to Balance an Uneven Garage Door Yourself?

  • Start by Testing the Door. To know how much of the garage door is unbalanced you’ll need to test it. ...
  • Keep the Garage Door Open. You will want to start by keeping the garage door a couple of feet off the ground to take some pressure off it.
  • Adjust the Spring Within the Track Hanger. ...
  • Make Sure the Door Closes Evenly. ...
  • Adjusting the Lift Cable. ...
  • Conclusion. ...

image

Can you fix a garage door yourself?

And, while it's tempting to save time and money by trying to fix it yourself, certain repairs can only be done by a garage door professional who has the tools and training to do it safely and correctly.

How do you repair a metal garage door?

The process involves these steps:Wash the dented panel.Allow the surface to dry.Stretch aluminum foil over the dent.Heat the aluminum foil with a lighter (about one minute).Quickly remove the aluminum foil.Spray the dent with compressed air (30 seconds to one minute).Carbon monoxide pops the panel back in place.

How do I repair an old garage door?

16:5722:20Restoring Old Garage Doors - Part One - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll i have to do now is re-sand caulk and paint um yes there is caulk and stuff on the floor that'sMoreAll i have to do now is re-sand caulk and paint um yes there is caulk and stuff on the floor that's easily scraped off not a big deal so this is what it looks like and i gotta be honest.

Can you patch a metal garage door?

A mallet could repair a small hole left in metal, such as a steel garage door. A crack may be left behind, but the small cracked area can be patched or sealed with clear fillers.

How do I fix my garage door panels?

0:0610:34DIY - How to Repair or Replace a Single Garage Door Panel - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you have a garage door opener you've got to remove that as well so I'm going to go and getMoreAnd if you have a garage door opener you've got to remove that as well so I'm going to go and get started in my case these here are 7/16. So this is a 3/8 that's been replaced. Before.

Can a bent garage door be fixed?

3 days agoThe good news is that a garage door panel can be fixed. However, it has to be done properly. You can learn how to fix a garage door panel that is bent by yourself, but the slightest slip can result in serious injuries. So it is best to call up a professional to have it checked out.

What causes garage door not to close?

2:506:32Garage Door Wont Close? 4 Reasons Why! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's loose. So what happens is over time it just moves.MoreIt's loose. So what happens is over time it just moves.

Is replacing a garage door worth it?

Your garage is a critical factor in your home's value. Fortunately, garage doors tend to be an excellent investment for homeowners. Garage door replacement is the top remodeling project for costs recouped through increased home value, with an average of 97.5% of the cost recovered.

How do you replace rotted wood around a garage door?

0:416:10How to Replace a Rotted Garage Door Post | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right the temporary post should be supporting let's see yeah both rails are up and we're readyMoreAll right the temporary post should be supporting let's see yeah both rails are up and we're ready to go to work to get started we want to remove all this trim work around the garage door post.

How do you fill a hole in a metal garage door?

Fill Holes And Add Touch Up Paint Insert a tube of waterproof metal patch into a caulk gun. Place the tip of the gun in one of the holes (on the exterior side of the door) and dispense the product by squeezing the tool's trigger. Once the hole is filled, move on to the next one and patch it with the same method.

Can you buy one panel for a garage door?

Yes, it's possible to replace only one panel of a garage door. You'll want to make sure the rest of the garage door is in good condition. If the door has not been maintained well then it might make sense to replace the entire garage door.

How do you fix a small hole in a metal garage door?

0:2117:23How To Repair A Hole In Metal Door - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let me show you what kind of tools you're gonna need and what kind of equipment you're going toMoreSo let me show you what kind of tools you're gonna need and what kind of equipment you're going to need to get it done you don't really need a lot you're going to need some bondo. Such as the kind

Should I repair or replace my garage door?

When you need a single replacement panel, it is better to opt for repair over a full-fledged replacement. However, if more than one panels start to...

What is the average cost to repair a garage door?

According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for garage door repair in the U.S. is around $243, with prices ranging between $148 and $341. These repa...

Is it safe to repair a garage door yourself?

If you have not done it before, then it can be dangerous to do it by yourself. That is why it is recommended to call a professional. However, if yo...

Why won't my garage door go down?

It could be because of loose wires at the sensors or a blocked path between the sensors. Sometimes, the transmitters fail to close the garage door....

How do I make my garage door close automatically?

You can get a garage door closer. Whenever you forget to close the garage door, it will shut down the door for you automatically. All you need to i...

What happens if you don't have time to fix your garage door?

If you don't have time right now to fix it, but you still need to open that door, there's a red cord that hangs down from the motor which will temporarily disconnect your door from its power, enabling you to open the garage door manually. Garage Doors.

How do you know if it is time for a garage door repair?

How do you know if it is time for a garage door repair or check-up? Is your garage door opening and closing slower than it used to do? Is there wear and tear on the springs? What about loose screws or bolts ? If the answer is 'yes', it might be time for some repairs.

How long do remote door opener batteries last?

Check the battery inside your remote control door opener first. The batteries in these openers usually last no more than a year, then must be replaced. If the batteries are alive and well, but you still can't open the door, your remote may have gotten out of electronic sync with your main opener.

Why won't my garage door open?

If you're not able to open your garage door at all, or the mechanism is moving slower than it used to do, and you've made all the repairs needed during inspection of the door itself, the problem is likely rooted in the garage door opener.

Can you adjust a roll up door spring?

One-car roll-up door springs should only be adjusted by a professional, as there is such a great amount of tension on the one spring that you could be injured when trying to adjust it yourself. Swing-up door springs are hooked on each side of the door into special notches or holes.

Why is my garage door scraping?

These can commonly include [3] a tilted end bearing plate, a torsion spring cable or extension spring cable that is frayed, misalignment of the reinforcing strut, or extension spring cable pulleys that are worn out.

What happens if my garage door doesn't close?

If your garage door will not completely close [5] with the remote or control panel, the close limit switch most likely needs to be adjusted. The limit switch is the device that signals to the motor when to stop lowering or lifting the door, so issues with this small but mighty part can cause a variety of issues when it comes to opening and closing your garage door.

Why does my garage door freeze in the winter?

If you live in a cooler climate, you may have experienced the dreaded frozen garage door [18] during the winter. The reason that this happens when the temperature dips too low, is that the mechanism of your garage door is stiffened by the freezing weather, which results in a loss of power.

Why is a garage door important?

A garage door is an important part of every home. However, many homeowners don’t realize how integral a functioning garage door is to their daily life until it suddenly decides to quit working. Garage door repair is sometimes critical for your family when things go wrong.

Why won't my garage door open with the remote?

If your garage door will not open with both your remote and panel, the issue is most likely with the power source itself. To ensure it is properly receiving power [16], double check that it is plugged in and check the circuit breaker or fuse for the system.

What to do if your extension spring pulleys are worn out?

Dry rollers and bearings are an easy fix, you will simply need to lubricate [14] them. If the extension spring pulleys are worn out, they will need to be replaced [15].

What is the purpose of a garage door?

For many homeowners the garage serves as not only a storage place for bikes, lawn mowers, and tools, but also as a parking area for vehicles, and, oftentimes, the main entry point to the home. In fact, many families that we assist tell us that they use their garage door to get into their home more frequently than their front door.

What can go wrong with a garage door?

Lots of things can go wrong with a garage door, and most are easy to fix. But problems involving the garage door tension spring are more serious.

How long does it take to rebuild a garage door torsion spring?

If you use the correct tools and follow our instructions, you can rebuild the entire torsion spring system in just a few hours, without any side trips to the ER. We won’t cover how to replace garage door extension spring systems in this story. But we’ll show you garage door spring replacement on the more common torsion springs, the kind that mount on a bar above the garage door.

How to measure a broken spring?

Measure the inner diameter and length. Measure the inner diameter of the broken spring as shown. Loosen the setscrews on the broken spring and slide the broken portion over to meet the stationary section. Measure the overall length of the springs (not including the cones). Most home centers don't carry all the replacement parts you'll need ...

How to remove cable drum from door?

Starting on the left side of the door, slide the torsion tube to the right so you can remove the cable drum. Then slide the old spring off the tube.

How heavy is a garage door?

Most garage doors are heavy (200 to 300 lbs.), so call in three strong friends to help you lift the door and hold it open while you lock it in the full raised position with a locking pliers. Then move your vehicles and have your friends help you lower the door. Garage Door Tune-Up.

What is the wind direction of a door?

View the end of each spring to determine its wind direction, or “hand.” If the end of the spring is pointing up on the right, it's a right-hand wind. If the end is pointing up on the left, it's a left-hand wind. Doors with two springs will always have a left- and a right-hand spring.

Can you postpone a garage repair?

However, if you can get your vehicles out of the garage, you can postpone the repair to get normal weekday repair rates. If you want to do the repair yourself, get several phone estimates first, because rates vary widely among service companies.

What to do if your garage door isn't working properly?

If your garage door isn’t operating properly, the torsion springs are likely to blame. If you’re concerned about tackling this project on your own, consider hiring out the job to a professional. Otherwise, replace both the left and right springs at the same time to save yourself from having to do the job twice.

How many quarter turns does a door need?

Generally, you’ll need 30 quarter-turns for a 7 ft (2.1 m) tall door and 36 quarter-turns for an 8 ft (2.4 m) tall door. Winding the spring too tight could cause it to break and injure you, so be sure to follow the supplier’s recommendation and don’t over-wind the spring.

How to install a center bearing on a torsion bar?

Install the center bearing and the right spring, then secure the cones. Slide the torsion bar to the left then add the center bearing. Slide the right spring onto the bar and press the bearing into the stationary cone. Connect both of the stationary cones to the center bracket with the nuts and bolts you removed previously. Remove the locking pliers or clamp from the center bracket.

How to lock a spring on a torsion tube?

Slide the spring over the tube and lock it in place by securing the cones on the center bracket and torsion tube .

How to loosen a spring?

Put on eye protection and leather gloves. Push a winding bar into the bottom hole of the winding cone on the outside of 1 spring. Use a wrench to loosen the 2 set screws.

What to do if one spring breaks?

If one spring is broken, measure the other one for the most accurate numbers.

Can you order replacement torsion springs?

Order replacement springs. Many manufacturers and distributors only provide torsion springs to professionals, and won’t sell them directly to the customer. Luckily, they are available on the Internet, so search online to find replacement springs. Make sure they match the coil size, length, and interior diameter of the springs you removed. Also, be sure to order both a “left-hand” and a “right-hand” spring as the coils are wound in different directions.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9